Tillandsia plant named ‘Biancini’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Tillandsia  named ‘Biancini’, that is characterized by its compact plant habit and its flowers and inflorescence bracts that are stably white in color.

Botanical classification: Tillandsia cyanea×Tillandsia pretiosa.

Cultivar designation: ‘Biancini’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofTillandsia plant of hybrid origin, botanically known as Tillandsia‘Biancini’ and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name,‘Biancini’. ‘Biancini’ is grown as an indoor potted plant.

The new cultivar was developed through on ongoing breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Sint-Oedenrode, The Netherlands. ‘Biancini’was derived from a cross made in April of 2008 between Tillandsia cyanea‘Anita’ (not patented) as the female parent and an unnamed plant ofTillandsia pretiosa (not patented) as the male parent. ‘Biancini’ wasselected as a single unique plant in March of 2011 from amongst theresulting seedlings.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by basalcuttings in Sint-Oedenrode, The Netherlands in April of 2011 by theInventor. Asexual propagation by stem cuttings has determined that thecharacteristics of this cultivar are stable and are reproduced true totype in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of ‘Biancini’. These attributes in combinationdistinguish ‘Biancini’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia.

-   -   1. ‘Biancini’ exhibits a compact plant habit.    -   2. ‘Biancini’ exhibits flowers that are stably white in color.    -   3. ‘Biancini’ exhibits inflorescence bracts that are stably        white in color.

The female parent of ‘Biancini’, ‘Anita’, differs from ‘Biancini’ inhaving inflorescence bracts that are deep pink in color and in havingflowers that are purple in color. The male parent of ‘Biancini’ differsfrom ‘Biancini’ in having inflorescence bracts that are light pink togreenish white in color, in having flowers that are purple in color, inhaving a more vigorous growth habit, and a less compact plant habit.‘Biancini’ can be most closely compared to the Tillandsia cyanea ‘Josee’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,014). ‘Josee’ is similar to ‘Biancini’ in havinga compact plant habit. ‘Josee’ differs from ‘Biancini’ in havinginflorescence bracts that are light pink in color; in having flowersthat are light purple in color, and in having inflorescences that arebranched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new Tillandsia. The photographs weretaken of a 1 year-old plant of the new cultivar as grown in a 9-cmcontainer in a heated glass greenhouse in Sint-Oedenrode, TheNetherlands.

The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a side view of ‘Biancini’ in bloom.

The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of an inflorescence of‘Biancini’.

The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a close-up view of the foliage of‘Biancini’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the digitalphotography and printing techniques utilized and the color codes in thedetailed botanical description accurately describe the new Tillandsia.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of 1 year-old plants of the newcultivar as grown in 9-cm containers in a heated glass greenhouse inSint-Oedenrode, The Netherlands. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmentalconditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2007R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance areused.

-   General characteristics:    -   -   Blooming period.—Blooms for about 2 months in The            Netherlands, any time of year one year from propagation.        -   Plant type.—Monocarpic.        -   Plant habit.—Compact, basal rosette, broad spreading,            grass-like foliage.        -   Height and spread.—An average of 25 cm in height and 30 cm            in spread.        -   Hardiness.—At least in U.S.D.A. Zone 10.        -   Diseases and pests.—No particular resistance and            susceptibility to diseases and pests has been observed.        -   Root description.—Fine and fibrous roots.        -   Propagation.—Basal cuttings, one year is required to produce            a blooming size plant.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Stem description.—Basal rosette, no lateral branches            present.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Linear, carinate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf base.—Sheathing.        -   Leaf apex.—Long acuminate.        -   Leaf venation.—Parallel, color upper surface; N137B and            lower surface; 137C with midrib a blend of 137D and 138A.        -   Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   Leaf attachment.—Decurrent, no petioles.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Rosulate, basal rosette.        -   Leaf orientation.—Held upright to broadly-spreading and            arching downward.        -   Leaf surface.—Both surfaces glabrous and moderately glossy.        -   Leaf color.—Young and mature leaves upper surface; N137B and            lower surface; 137C.        -   Leaf size.—An average of 26.5 cm in length and 6.5 mm in            width.        -   Leaf quantity.—An average of 32 leaves per rosette.        -   Leaf sheath.—An average of 4.3 cm in length and 2.1 cm in            width, color; 146B to 146C with base 161A to 161B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Terminal rhipidium with conduplicate            bracts.        -   Inflorescence size.—An average of 13.5 cm in height and 3.4            to 7.5 cm in width.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—About 2 months, each flower            lasts about one week, persistent.        -   Flower size.—An average of 6.5 cm in depth and 3.5 cm in            diameter.        -   Flower fragrance.—Very faint, sweet scent.        -   Flower shape.—Single, monocarpous.        -   Flower number.—An average of 17 flowers per basal rosette.        -   Flower aspect.—Slightly outward at an average angle of 45°            to vertical.        -   Flower bud.—Linear in shape, fully enclosed by bract, an            average of 3.7 cm in length and 4 mm in width, 145B to 145C            in color.        -   Rate of flower opening.—About 5% of flowers open at any            time, flowers bloom all year long.        -   Petals.—3, spathulate in shape, rotate in arrangement, an            average of 8.0 cm in length and 2.0 cm in width, entire            margins, broadly acute apex, cuneate base, both surfaces            glabrous, dull, and moderately velvety, color; upper and            lower surface when opening and when fully open; lighter than            NN155D, color fades to N88A.        -   Sepals.—3, rotate in arrangement, an average of 3.9 cm in            length and 3 mm in width, narrow oblanceolate in shape,            prominently carinate, entire margins, cuneate base, long            acute apex, color; upper surface when opening 145D and lower            surface 145C, upper surface when fully open; 145C and lower            surface 145B to 145C, upper and lower surfaces; smooth and            glossy.        -   Calyx.—Tubular, an average of 3.9 cm in length and 4 mm in            diameter.        -   Peduncle.—An average of 8.4 cm in length and 4 mm in            diameter, strong, held upright on plant (vertical), N144D in            color.        -   Bracts.—Strongly carinate, ovate in shape, conduplicate, an            average of 8 mm in width and 1.3 cm in length, entire            margins, acute apex, sheathing base, color; upper and lower            surfaces NN155D with base 144D, mature bracts on shady side            fade to a blend between 145B to 145C and 147D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—1 pistil, about 7 mm in length, style; about 5 mm            in length, 150D in color, stigmas; three-lobed, club-shaped,            145D in color, ovary; 150C to 150D in color.        -   Androecium.—6 stamens, anthers; linear in shape, 5.5 mm in            length and N144D in color; filament; 1.8 cm in length, 145A            to 145B in color with NN155D at the base, pollen; high in            quantity and 8A in color.        -   Fruit/seeds.—None observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Tillandsia plant named‘Biancini’ as herein illustrated and described.